Monsoon reaches Delhi, at last

The national capital's wait for the rains finally came to an end on Tuesday as the monsoon reached the city, bringing with it showers and the much-needed respite from days of scorching heat.

The sharp shower in the evening brought smiles to the faces of Delhiites, who have been reeling under acute power and water shortage coupled with rising temperatures over the last few days.

"It was awesome to get drenched in the rain on Tuesday evening. It was so humid throughout the day and the evening showers brought a big relief," said Sudisha Bhola, a scientist.

"The monsoon has reached the doorstep of the capital. We can expect rainfall in the region and in Delhi over the next one or two days," Ajit Tyagi, IMD director general, told IANS.

A large number of people came out of their homes and offices in the evening and enjoyed the shower tnat lasted between half an hour to some 45 minutes.

"After so long I went to India Gate with my friends and we enjoyed ourselves. The weather was so pleasant and cool," said Manish Singh, a city resident.

Although the southwest monsoon reached the capital a day late, it is likely to end the longstanding water and power woes of Delhiites.

Delhi, in fact, woke up to pre-monsoon showers Tuesday. The city received 6.8 mm of rainfall from Monday evening until early on Tuesday.

The maximum temperature in the national capital on Tuesday settled at 37.7 degrees Celsius, three notches below average, while the minimum was 25 degrees Celsius.

The maximum humidity level recorded was 87 per cent.

Met officials have predicted more rains and thundershowers for the capital and say the maximum temperature would hover around 36 degrees Celsius.

According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the southwest monsoon has further advanced into remaining parts of Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand, entire Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Delhi, some more parts of east Rajasthan and many parts of Punjab and Haryana.

"Rain and thundershowers are expected at most places over east and west Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand and a few places over the rest of northwest region," Tyagi said.